Judge Lets Conviction Of Arkansas Treasurer Stand

A federal judge has upheld the corruption conviction of Arkansas' former treasurer, rejecting her request to have the case heard by state authorities. Lawyers for Martha Shoffner said the Arkansas Ethics Commission - not federal jurors - should have addressed claims that she accepted $36,000 from a bond broker who did business with the state. A federal jury convicted Shoffner on March 11. The defense team said the federal government wasn't harmed by Shoffner's actions and wanted U.S. District Judge Leon Holmes to dismiss the charges against her. Holmes decided Tuesday that it was proper for the case to land in federal court. He said he had no authority to set aside the jury's verdict simply because the case might have been better suited for state courts.